Comparative Outcomes Of Femto-Lasik Versus Prk For Low Myopia: A Retrospective Analysis From Data On 7440 Eyes
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PP21.01 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/kqk4-z886
Authors: Roee Arnon 1 , Michael Mimouni* 2 , Igor Kaiserman 3
1Ophthalmology,Rabin Medical Center,Petach Tiqwa,Israel, 2Ophthalmology,Rambam Medical Center,Haifa,Israel, 3Ophthalmology,Barzilai Medical Center,Ashqelon,Israel
Purpose
To compare the visual and refractive outcomes of Femtolaser in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK) surgery and PRK in patients with low myopia.
Setting
This retrospective study was conducted at Care-Vision Laser Centers in Tel Aviv, Israel, involving consecutive patients who underwent their first photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or femto-LASIK surgery between January 2012 and June 2022. The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and received institutional review board (IRB) approval for a retrospective chart review. Multiple surgeons performed the procedures using a standardized protocol at a single surgical center.
Methods
study was conducted on 7440 eyes with low myopia (defined as between -2 and 0 diopters spherical, and up to 2 diopters of a cylinder). Patients were categorized into two groups based on type of surgery: PRK and Femto-Lasik. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes, including uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SEQ), and cylinder measurements, were compared between the groups. Data were analyzed using R program, and adjustments were made for baseline differences.
Results
6576 eyes (88.4%) underwent PRK, 864 eyes (11.6%) underwent Femto-LASIK. Preoperatively, PRK group had significantly better UCVA (p = 0.0026) and a less myopic SEQ (p =0.0061). The follow-up duration in the PRK group was 99±65 days, and in the Femto-LASIK group 81±61 days. Postoperatively, Femto-LASIK had superior UCVA (P<0.0001). 71% of Femto-LASIK eyes achieved 20/20 or better vision compared to 65% of PRK eyes. Femto-LASIK demonstrated higher refractive accuracy with more eyes achieving target spherical equivalent refraction within ±0.25D and a lower mean astigmatism (P<0.0001).Safety and efficacy indices were marginally higher for Femto-LASIK (P<0.0001). Retreatment rates were low for both groups, 0.15% in PRK and 0.23% in Femto-LASIK.
Conclusions
In correcting low myopia, FS-LASIK demonstrates superior outcomes in terms of efficacy, refractive accuracy, and astigmatism control compared to PRK, with a marginally better safety profile.